Cumann na mBunScol Finals: Mac Ruairi and Tóibín inspire Navan boys

DIV 5 HURLING - Gaelscoil Eanna 4-10 Carnaross 3-11

Trailing by four as full time approached Gaelscoil Eanna rallied to force extra-time in a pulsating Div 5 Hurling final at Trim on Friday evening.

When they turned for the second-half of extra-time Gaelscoil Eanna found themselves three points adrift, but they never gave up.

Eoghan Toibin provided the inspiration to force extra-time and in the additional period it was the outstanding Sean Mac Ruairi who led the charge to inspire his side to a sensational win over heartbroken Carnaross. When Joseph Kirk scrambled Carnaross's third goal to make it 3-11 to 3-8 at the break in extra-time, it looked all over, but Sean Mac Ruairi landed a free to keep the pressure on and then he blasted a bullett of free to the net with 45 seconds remaining to make it 4-9 to 3-11. Sean Mac Ruairi added another brilliant point to put two between the sides and leave Carnaross needing a goal. The magnificent Peter Barrett did go close to snatching a late winner for Carnaross, but Scoil Eanna defended bravely and held on.

The teams from the previous game were still on the field celebrating when action got underway in this one and in the opening seconds Carnaross took the lead through Peter Barrett. Gaelscoil Eanna responded with points from Ciarain Mac Ruairi and Sean Mac Ruairi ('45') before Barrett levelled it up from a free.

Gaelscoil took the lead when Eoghan Toibin pointed and then Ciarain Mac Ruairi added a goal when his point attempt fell to the net.

However, that was Gaelscoil's last score of the half as Carnaross, and Barrett, took over.

Barrett clipped over two points from frees and one from play to make it 0-5 to 1-3.

Jack Brady's point attempt from distance fell to the net to give the hoops the lead and after Barrett added another point from a free he scored a brilliant goal following a mesmerising run to ensure a 2-7 to 1-3 interval lead for Carnaross.

Toibin dragged Gaelscoil Eanna back into the game with a goal 30 seconds after the restart and the sides shared the next six points with Jack Brady and Barrett (two frees) on target for Carnaross while Sean Mac Ruairi (two frees) and Toibin replied for the Navan boys to make it 2-6 to 2-10.

A brilliant point on the run from Sean Mac Ruairi and a stunning goal from Toibin forced extra-time - 3-7 to 2-10.

After Barrett and Toibin traded frees Carnaross looked to have moved into the winners enclosure then Kirk scrambled the goal, but Sean Mac Ruairi had other ideas and ensured the title went to Gaelscoil Eanna at their very first attempt.

Gaelscoil Éanna - Ruairí Mac Dónaill; Donnchadh Ó Méalóid, Adam Spratt, Senan Tóibín; Eoghan Tóibín (2-3 one free), Seán Mac Ruairi (1-6 1-3 frees, one '45'); Ciarán Mac Stiobhairt, Ciarán Mac Ruairi (1-1), Siún Tóibín. Subs - Luke Ó Fathaigh, Odhrán Mac Lachtna, Criostóir Ó Faoláin, Bobby Mac Giolla Rua, Caoimhe Ní Fhloinn, Caoilinn Ní Dhubhda. Mentors - Máire Ní Ghealbháin, Claire Ní Fhaircheallaigh.

Carnaross NS - James Shortt; Michael Dunne, Tiernan Mulvany, Jack Brady (1-2); Eoghan Larkin, Peter Barrett (1-9 seven frees); Kieran Yore, Ben Smith, Shane Farrelly. Subs - Conor Ennis, Joseph Kirk (1-0), Cian O’Reilly, Yago Buffa, Dillon Finn, Hugh Woods, Sam Walsh, Aaron Ormiston, Ben Murphy, Hugh Farrelly, Sam Farrell, Conor Doughty Stanley. Mentors - Racheal Browne, Daithí O’Connor, Tommy Barrett.

Referee - Pádraig De Róiste (Gaelscoil Tulach na nÓg).